Tomorrow...

Annika Joy turns two.

Two years ago tomorrow, when she arrived, I experienced a rush of emotions I was not expecting... and the Lord has taken me on a journey in Mommyhood I did not see coming. What a gift.

Oh, Annika. I am so thankful for you.

You remind me to laugh, and that being silly never gets old...

and it makes me laugh when you start to cry and then get distracted by something and totally forget you were upset...

I love that you can play all day with just your Tupperware cups and a spoon.

I love your resourcefulness and creativity... how boxes are for playing in, and buttons can be cookies that are "yummeeeee" or flowers that "'mell. good."

I love that you are SUCH a sweet big sister. You make each other giggle and I thank the Lord for the fun you have and are yet to have...

I love that you are starting to love books... and I love when you say the words along with me:
"Chicka, chicka... BOOM BOOM!"

I love that you love your desserts: "more? Pease? more? pease?" and will do or say almost anything to get more.

(Daddy makes you say "I love you" before most bites.)

I love that you love to dance with me: "Mama? Dance."

It doesn't get much better than dancing with you while praising the Lord and laughing... those are the moments where I think "wow, and Heaven is going to be better than this...!"

What joy.
Love you, sweet girl!

Five Months Old

Annika added the hat.

Sisterly love

(this is one of the many kisses Alexa gets attacked with throughout her day!)

Ava helping... it worked out good for me!

My (newly engaged!) dear friend Amy came by to meet Alexa last weekend.

We love her! (and we like her Andy too!)

Cookie Cutters

After a recommendation from a friend, I took Annika to Cookie Cutters. I was a bit apprehensive how she'd do, but she walked in the door, marched right over to the playground and went down the slide, then picked out her chair (a pink car), and was so excited to pick Veggie Tales to watch. She loves her Veggie Tales! She was so engrossed in the movie, she barely noticed her hair being cut (with the exception of when someone was blocking her view!). Such a great experience!

She got to pick out a clip for her hair too.

I feel like she looks even more grown up now!